NAB directed to probe WC broadcasting rights | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

NAB directed to probe WC broadcasting rights

Pakistan Press Foundation

ISLAMABAD: In its maiden meeting, Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday ordered the anti-corruption watchdog to investigate losses worth $30,000 to the national exchequer in securing broadcasting rights of 1999 Cricket World Cup from a third party instead of the tournament organisers directly.

The decision to refer a fourteen years old audit objection to National Accountability Bureau (NAB) shows the priorities of the new PAC that seemed struggling to dig deeper into financial irregularities, as some members objected over wasting time on “petty matters”.

In response to an offer letter by tournament director for cricket broadcasting rights, Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) snoozed over the offer, auditors revealed to PAC. After the PBC did not respond to the offer, the tournament managers sold the rights to NVS Sports International. Subsequently, the PBC bought the same rights from NVS Sports at $30,000 higher rates.

Commenting on the issue, PAC Chairman Syed Khursheed Shah said the former management gave benefit to the middleman. Referring the matter to NAB, Shah asked the watchdog to submit the report within two months.

During the meeting, the PAC also sought a briefing from Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) over reports of discrepancies in the tax declarations of the parliament members.
The PAC also sought opinion of the Ministry of Law on the issue of picking insurance premium cost of the officers of PTV. The members of the PAC and the auditors were of the opinion that the PTV was illegally picking this cost as the facility was available only for low-income individuals.

Express Tribune


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